From Caregiver to Cat Queen: How Self-Care (and a Little Sass) Saved My Sanity
- Lisa Sheppard
- Jul 19
- 3 min read
Why laughter, lattes, and unapologetic mugs are more than just accessories—they’re essential tools for healing.
There’s something you should know about me.
Before Comfort Diva was a brand, it was my survival instinct. I wasn’t always surrounded by whimsical cats, cheeky mugs, and cozy catnap kits. I was a caregiver—first to my mom, then to my dad, both of whom needed full-time support. It was the kind of chapter that leaves you physically and emotionally spent. But it also cracked me wide open.
Self-care wasn't a luxury. It was oxygen.
In those quiet, difficult moments between doctor visits, paperwork, and sleepless nights, I began to realize something profound: I had lost myself. And what brought me back wasn’t therapy or a tropical vacation (though that would’ve been great)—it was tiny moments of joy. A hot mug of coffee. A candle flickering by my bedside. A ridiculous cat meme that made me laugh-snort at 2 a.m.
Eventually, I started building a brand around those moments. Comfort Diva was born—not just to create cute gifts for cat lovers, but to remind women like me that they’re allowed to laugh, breathe, rest, and feel fabulous while doing it.
The Healing Power of Humor
Let’s talk about the latest coffee mug:“I Need More Than Coffee Today.”
Yes, it’s funny. But it’s also honest. Because sometimes coffee isn’t enough. Sometimes you need community. Or a nap. Or a moment of ugly-crying on the kitchen floor. That mug became my daily permission slip to feel all the things—and to find humor even on the hardest days.
And before that was the luggage tag:“Bitch, I'm Fabulous”. Now that’s a battle cry. It’s for the woman who’s reclaiming her power after giving everything to everyone else. It's for the ones who make space for joy, sass, and sparkle—no apologies. Later, I used the same design for a journal to remind myself and others that yes, we are fabulous. And sometimes we need to remind ourselves of that.
Why Self-Care Isn’t Selfish
Comfort Diva was built around this truth: Self-care is the opposite of selfish.
It’s how we refill what the world drains. It’s how we stay connected to our essence—our style, our voice, our humor.
Fuel Your Feline Fabulousness
Also fueling the movement (literally) is our “Refueling” T-shirt, featuring a caffeine-chugging cat who completely gets it. Because when your battery's running low—emotionally or electronically—you need more than just motivation. That’s why we made the matching wireless charger, too. It’s perfect for your nightstand, your desk, or wherever you hit pause. A daily reminder that you deserve to recharge—mind, body, phone, and soul. We also used the same design on a phone grip, to remind you to take a time out when you are multi-tasking.
Every product I design—from luxe eye masks to affirmation cards and spa gift sets—is meant to deliver a moment of comfort, a reminder that you matter. Whether you’re caring for others, building a dream, or just getting through the week—you deserve to feel good.
My Wish for You
I hope Comfort Diva makes you giggle. I hope it makes you feel seen. And I hope, somewhere between your to-do lists and your responsibilities, you find a tiny moment of joy—a spark of yourself—and hold onto it with both hands.
Because the truth is: Healing starts with laughter. Recovery starts with rest. And your comeback starts with comfort.
And maybe...a mug that tells the truth louder than you’re ready to.
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